Getting your home ready for a Pennsylvania winter.

Frozen pipes are one of the most common causes of water damage in the winter. When water freezes it expands, and a pipe that cracks can let out a lot of water before anyone notices. A few simple steps before the first hard freeze can save you a lot of trouble.

1. Start outside

• Disconnect garden hoses and put them away for the season.
• If your outdoor faucets have a shutoff valve inside the house, close it, then open the outdoor faucet to let it drain.
• Clean out gutters and downspouts so melting snow can drain away from the house.

2. Protect pipes in the cold spots

• Pipes in garages, crawl spaces, unheated basements and along outside walls are the most likely to freeze.
• Foam pipe insulation from the hardware store is inexpensive and easy to put on.
• Seal drafts near pipes, like gaps around dryer vents, cables and where the house meets the foundation.

3. Know where your main shutoff is

Find your main water valve now, before you need it. Make sure it turns, and show everyone in the house where it is. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water quickly is the best way to limit the damage.

4. When the temperature drops

• Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, day and night, even if you are going away.
• Open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
• On the coldest nights, let a faucet on an outside wall drip slowly.
• Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.

5. If a pipe freezes

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, a pipe may be frozen. Leave the faucet open.
• Warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, or a space heater kept a safe distance away. Never use a torch or any open flame.
• If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve right away.

6. If water gets in

If a pipe does burst, our guide Water in your basement? What to do in the first 24 hours walks you through what to do next, from making it safe to documenting the damage for your insurance company.

Brian’s Professional has been helping Nazareth and the Lehigh Valley recover from water damage for Over 40 Years. When you see our trucks outside, a professional team is inside.

Learn more about our water damage restoration services →
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